Minutes Council Meeting November 25 2025
DRAFT Minutes of Parish Council Meeting 25 November 2025
Minutes of the meeting of Stoodleigh Parish Council, held at 7pm on Tuesday November 25th 2025 at Stoodleigh Village Hall
Members Present: Charman Cllr W Knowles, Vice Chairman Cllr J Widdowson, Cllr G Parkman, Cllr C Payne Cllr D Wotton Cllr B Wotton
Cllr S Lodge Devon County Council, Cllr M Stratton and Cllr C Adcock (from 7.30pm) Mid Devon District Council
A representative from the Exe Valley Market Bus, asked if they could speak before the start of the Parish Council meeting. They told those present that they were looking for volunteers to be on the committee, drive the bus and other associated activities. The bus runs on Tuesdays and Fridays and does a circuit of local villages to Tiverton and back. Bus passes can be used. The link is on the Stoodleigh website. The representative then left.
1. Apologies received from Cllr Mansfield
2. Declarations of Interest - none
3. This agenda item was listed as “At this point anyone present must declare whether they intend to make an audio recording of the meeting”. This is not correct and Cllr Widdowson provided the following amendment. Government guidance is as follows: “While no prior permission is required to carry out this activity, it is advisable that any person wishing to film or audio-record a public meeting let their local government staff know so that all necessary arrangements can be made for the public meeting”. One member of the public declared that they would be recording the meeting.
4. The Public – opportunity for the public to speak on items on the agenda.
There were around 13 members of the public in attendance.
The accuracy of the minutes of the last meeting were queried by a member of the public. The Chairman, Cllr Knowles said they stand corrected on one point they raised.
Another member of the public raised the issue of standing water which they were asked to defer to agenda item 11.
5. Minutes of the Meeting held, September 23rd 2025 were approved and signed.
6. The Chairman Cllr Knowles, thanked the outgoing Clerk for guiding the Parish Council and that they appreciated everything they had done for the Councillors. This was endorsed by Cllr Widdowson.
7.The newly appointed Parish Clerk was then invited to introduce themselves.
8. Planning reports and Outcomes –
25/00215/HOUSE Erection of a garage with a store above, Fairview – grant permission
25/01215/FULL Retention of change of use of agricultural land to residential curtilage and double garage, Moss Rose Cottage – grant permission
25/01216/PIP Permission in principle for the erection of 1 self build dwelling, Penbrae NGR 291690/118886 – Refuse permission. It was noted that the Parish Council had supported this application.
25/01238/CAT Notification of intention to remove branches from 2 Beech trees within the conservation area, Land at NGR 292148 118944, The Old Forge – no objection
25/01250/CLU Certificate of lawful commencement of development approved under application – grant permission
25/01256/FULL Erection of a self build dwelling & associated infrastructure including garage structure, utilising the Class Q fallback position. 24/00600/PNCOU, land and building NGR 290615 119720 Alridge Mill Hill, Oakford – permitted with conditions to discharge
25/01357/CAT Notification of intention to reduce the crown of 1 Sweet Chestnut by 2-3m and thin and reduce the crown of 1 Copper Beech tree by 2-3m within the Conservation Area Moor View Stoodleigh - no objection
25/01391/HOUSE Single storey and first floor extension to North elevation following demolition of existing extensions; extension and replacement of bay windows; gable roof extension to South elevation; installation of roof lights and solar panels Holmingham Farm Bampton - awaiting decision (awaiting decision was omitted from the agenda)
25/1435/FULL Replacement of stable block with farm office, wood store and bat roost Land and Buildings at NGR 294500 119610 Hazels Farm Stoodleigh - awaiting decision
25/01524/LBCDOC Details pursuant to the Discharge of Condition 5 of Listed Building Consent 25/00908/LBC relating to sample of slate and details of the new bat slates Ford House Stoodleigh - awaiting decision
25/01536/FULL Erection of a self build replacement dwelling, to include change of use of land to domestic garden and free-standing solar panels Highfield Stoodleigh - awaiting decision – A site visit was made by Councillors on Thursday 20 November but no discussion was held at the time. The Councillors present agreed unanimously to support the application and agreed it would be an improvement. Clerk to update MDDC planning.
21/02319/FULL, erection of 5 holiday lodges & associated parking, reception/store and an all terrain vehicle store, High Wood and former Holmingham Quarry, Bampton – awaiting decision – (this notice did not need to be on the agenda)
9. Update on Planning Enforcement
Cllr Stratton gave an update on planning enforcement. Meetings are being arranged at Phoenix House, to build better communication between residents. Cllr Knowles passed a paper about enforcement to Cllr Stratton. Cllr Knowles said he understood the Enforcement Team are very busy and questioned why some less serious breaches were being dealt with, while more serious ones did not appear to be progressing. Cllr Knowles suggested the Parish Council should hold a meeting with the Enforcement Team to try and sort some things out. This was thought possible and Cllr Stratton will look into it.
Cllr Adcock joined the meeting.
10. Reports
County and District Council
Reports from the County and District Councillors were circulated in advance of the meeting.
A Councillor’s Surgery was held in Bampton and although not particularly well attended, it was good to engage.
Cllr Adcock was brought up to date on the planning enforcement situation and agreed a meeting with the Parish Council could be arranged in the New Year.
There is a currently a Residents survey running.
An outline of the proposals for the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for Devon was given with proposals to be submitted to the Government by 28 November.
The Tiverton Workhub is now available to use.
11. Highways
A member of the public was invited to share a complaint they have made to DCC in respect of standing water near Stoodleigh Cross. Water has long since been an issue. Approximately three weeks ago a trench was dug out and made the situation worse. The purpose of this work is not known. There is pipework which should drain the water away, most likely under the Link road. The issue number was passed to Cllr Lodge to look into. It is understood that dormice have been found in nearby woodland and it is illegal to disturb them. There is temporary signage in place but it is still dangerous with traffic backing up.
Cllr Widdowson told the meeting that a curb had been put across a gateway on Warbrightsleigh Hill and questioned whether permission was required to do this. He would send further details to Councillor Steve Lodge.
The provision of grit boxes was discussed. Cllr Widdowson said the Parish Council would need to pay for any additional grit boxes and that grit could be supplied under the Snow Warden scheme. It was noted that grit is stored in dumpy bags on Exmoor. Cllr Lodge confirmed that this was permissible so long as the grit was on private land. It was agreed that grit boxes were required in two locations and Councillor Lodge would seek clarification from DCC regarding their provision
12. Stoodleigh Inn – update on safety improvements
Cllr Widdowson agreed to speak to the Landlady from Stoodleigh Inn. Cllr Stratton explained that there was an opportunity for the Parish Council to purchase “20’s plenty” signs. DCC needs to approve. The signs must be a green circle although final details of the scheme are still work in progress.
13. Notice Board – satisfactory completion, removal of old and installation of new.
Cllr Widdowson confirmed the noticeboard was finished. The Supplier was paid to make the noticeboard. The old one needs to be removed and the new one put in place. Prior to the meeting, Cllr Mansfield had shared that he would be willing to do this work if others were willing to help. Cllr Widdowson agreed to contact Cllr Mansfield and see if they could do it.
14. Chris Whitehead memorial plaque
Cllr Widdowson proposed purchasing a memorial plaque for Chris Whitehead to recognise the generous donation made to repair the wall. It was suggested that the plaque should be on the playground side. It was agreed that Cllr Widdowson would get some prices. The funeral of Chris Whitehead is on Wednesday 26 November and Cllr Widdowson plans to attend and represent the Parish Council.
15.Fibre Broadband
Cllr Mansfield sent an update prior to the meeting. Work on fibre Broadband could start as early a Q1 2026. Cllr Mansfield agreed to follow this up.
16.Playground
Some of the play equipment needs replacing and the County and District Councillors were asked about 106 funding. This is a fund linked to new housing developments to benefit the local community. Cllr Adcock agreed to look into how funding is allocated.
A member of the public asked to speak as they have been looking into getting a share of the Tesco Stronger Starts funding based on blue tokens which allocate £500, £1000 and £1500 to successful projects. There is currently a 16-18 month waiting list. The member of the public offered to do the application on behalf of the Parish Council free of charge. This could be put towards new play equipment.
17.Proposed training courses for new Parish Clerk
Clerk Essentials 1 £36 inc VAT
Clerk Essentials 2 £36 inc VAT
Clerk Essentials 3 £36 inc VAT
New Clerks' Finance (plus a second course free after you attend) £35
Support for this was unanimously agreed by the Parish Councillors present
18.Parish Council Meeting Schedule for 2026 – proposed dates
January 27 2026
March 31 2026
May 19 2026
May 27 2026 Annual Parish Meeting
July 28 2026
September 29 2026
November 24 2026
January 26 2027
March 30 2027
The dates were agreed unanimously by the Parish Councillors present.
Meetings to start at 7.00pm.
A suggestion was made that people should make an appointment for the Councillors Surgery prior to Parish Council meetings to ensure a Councillor is present.
It was agreed to change the wording at the top of the agenda for future meetings.
19. Finance
HSBC current account as at 12/11/25 £8,478.71
Unity Bank Savings Account no change £4,923.64
Precept 2026 - the budget for the next financial year was discussed.
It was agreed unanimously by the Parish Councillors present, to request a precept of £6,500 for 2026.
Expenditure to date against the budget prediction was circulated in advance of the meeting and is on track.
Payments to be approved
Clerk £360 HMRC £94.95 Stephen Partridge Notice Board £927.50 Matt Berry Ground Maintenance £350, Sundries £22.27, replacement light and batteries J Widdowson
A member of the public asked for a copy of the enforcement document passed to the District Councillors by Cllr Knowles.
Meeting finished at 8.20pm